GRADE 4: LESSON PLAN 2
Lesson 4.2: Non-Medical Drug Use
Students will examine the differences between medical and non-medical drug use, and then apply this understanding to further develop their decision-making skills.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 4 Health Curriculum:
Drug Education
- Identify some reasons why people use drugs for non-medicinal purposes.
- Recognize that nicotine and caffeine are drugs.
- Identify the reasons why people do or do not smoke.
- Discuss some of the physiological effects of smoking.
- Describe the short term and long term effects of smoking.
- Identify a number of activities to do instead of smoking.
- Outline the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
- Suggest ways to protect oneself from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Mental Health
- Identify recreational activities: hobbies, physical activity or creative pursuits.
Relationships
- Realize that one’s decisions may affect other people.
- Outline the steps to follow in decision making.
Learning Activities
The following activities are designed to support the delivery of this lesson and help reinforce key concepts. Some activities are available in multiple formats to offer flexibility and accommodate teacher or student preferences.
- Learning Activity 1: Non-Medical Drug Use
- Activity 1: Medical vs. Non-Medical Drugs
Using the Canva Whiteboard, students will categorize drugs.
- Activity 2: Introduction to Alcohol, Caffeine, Cannabis and Nicotine
Through a presentation and discussion, students will explore four substances—alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, and nicotine—followed by a matching game activity.
- Activity 3: FACE Decision-Making Model Scenarios
Students will explore how choices around non-medical drug use can impact well-being and why decision-making matters, applying the FACE Decision-Making Model to different scenarios.
Scenario 1: Fitting In at a New School
Scenario 2: Curious About Cigarettes
Scenario 3: Impressing the Older Kids
- Activity 4: Exit Card – Healthy Choices
Students will reflect on their learning about non-medical drug use.
These resources may help support the delivery of the lesson plan and learning activities:
Educational Materials
The relevant Educational Materials for this lesson are referenced throughout the lesson plan; additional ones are available here.
Substance Snapshots
Relevant Substance Snapshots are noted in the lesson plan; more may be accessed here.